MMUST Hosts National Assembly Education Committee For Public Participation On Key Education Reform Bill
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) on Tuesday, 15th September 2026, hosted the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education for a public participation forum on six proposed education Bills aimed at strengthening Kenya’s education and training sector. The delegation was led by the Member of Parliament- Tinderet Constituency who is also the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Mwalimu Julius K. Melly. The forum brought together university leadership, staff, students, student leaders and key education stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed legislation and provide views that will inform the legislative process.
Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Mwalimu Julius K. Melly speaks during the public participation exercise.
The six Bills subjected to public participation included Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Bill; the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill; the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill; the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill; the Basic Education Bill; and the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training in Basic Education Bill.
The forum was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), Prof. Hussein Golicha who joined other stakeholders in the engagement. The engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders within the education sector to examine the proposed provisions, raise concerns and submit recommendations based on their experiences and professional expertise.
Far right; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo together with Members of Parliament; Hon Mary Emaase and Hon. Peter Orero .
MMUST was a significant contributor in the national legislative process, with three of its scholars making substantive submissions on the proposed legislation. Prof. Robert Egessa presented a submission on the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, appreciating the proposed legislation, particularly the expanded mandate of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to promote career guidance and mentorship. He proposed amendments to strengthen representation and expertise within the proposed governance structures, recommending the inclusion of Vice Chancellors and TVET Principals on the KUCCPS and Tertiary Education Funding Authority Boards. He also called for education-sector experience to be recognized among the qualifications for Board membership and proposed that student financing encompass both loans and scholarships. Similarly, Prof. Moses Poipoi made a submission on the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, providing his views and professional input on the proposed framework for pre-service education and in-service training.
Prof. Robert Egessa makes his submission at the event.
Additionally, Dr. Rose Opiyo also submitted a memorandum to the Committee. Her presentation focused on strengthening the proposed education reforms by addressing gaps affecting Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) as well as other categories of learners. She raised six cross-cutting questions on the reform package and five specific questions on ECDE teacher training, before highlighting additional issues emerging from a review of the Bills and previous public hearings.
The public participation exercise in progress.
The MMUSO President, Mr. Valentine Obade proposed measures to make tertiary education financing more accessible and responsive to students’ circumstances. He recommended that all university students be eligible for scholarships and loans, adding that loan repayment should be more flexible to accommodate graduates who may not be employed within one year of completing their studies.
The MMUSO President, Mr. Valentine Obade presents his submission at the event.
The public participation exercise forms part of the legislative process through which members of the public and stakeholders provide views on proposed laws before they are considered and enacted by Parliament. Through the submissions by its scholars, MMUST continues to provide evidence-informed perspectives that can contribute to strengthening and shaping education reforms in Kenya.
By Linet Owuor
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
